Signagelive File Encoding

We are often asked by customers about the encoding of videos and what the best file type, resolution and bitrate settings should be when using our software. The following guides shows you how to correctly encode your video files to ensure the maximum level of performance whilst retaining video quality.

Why would we need to encode our video files?

There are several good reasons why you should consider encoding your videos:

Allows you to reduce the size of your files.

Correctly encoded files will optimise player performance and allow for a better content result.

Smaller video sizes will mean they are quicker to upload to your Signagelive network.

Schedules with encoded files will not take as long to download.

Schedules with encoded files will not take as much player bandwidth usage.

If you are attempting to run a large amount of video content on a lower specification device then it is quite common that the performance would appear to stutter. If this is the case then we strongly recommend looking at your videos (plus images) to ensure they are encoded correctly. You can really assist the performance of the hardware player by ensuring it is not using unnecessary CPU usage trying to handle badly encoded files.

What are the recommended file formats for each version?

You can learn more about the file types supported by each Player type within the 'Our Media Players' section of the Signagelive Help Centre.

How do you install MediaCoder?

The first stage is to install the recommended MediaCoder software by carrying out the following steps:

To begin, please open up a web browser of your choice and download the MediaCoder software from the following links: MediaCoder 64bit Windows O/S Version -Download Here

When you have downloaded the software, please now install this on to your computer. The software will guide you through the necessary process.

When finished, please click on the Start > Programs > MediaCoder folder and then run the MediaCoder application.

You will now see the MediaCoder application and logo appear. If you need to remove the logo, just click on it with your mouse.

How do you begin to encode your files?

Once you have installed MediaCoder to your computer you will now need to add the files you wish to encode as per the following steps:

The first step you will need to do is drag and drop the video files you wish to encode into the Media Coder software.

The top part "where you add your files" to the list of videos to encode.

The bottom part where you change your encoding settings prior to the encode process

To begin you will need to drag and drop the video file/s you wish to encode in to the MediaCoder software as highlighted above. This will go in to the blue area of the above screenshot. You can add multiple files to this area and they will all be encoded with the same settings.

Setting your Video Quality Performance

Please now follow these steps to set the video quality of your encode:

Here's what you need to do:

Please click on the Video Tab

Set the Rate Mode option to be: Variable Bitrate

Set the Video Quality option to be: 23 CRF

Set the Format Option to be: H.264

You do not need to change any other information on this tab.

Please Note: If you are unsure about what Video Quality CRF (Constant Rate Factor) to use, begin with 23 and change it according to your subjective impression of the output. Is the quality good enough? No? Then set a lower CRF. Is the file size too high? Choose a higher CRF. A change of ±6 should result in about half/double the file size, although your results might vary.

Setting your Audio Performance

Please now follow these steps to set the audio quality of your encode:

Here's what you need to do:

Please click on the Audio Tab

Set the Format option to be: MP3

You do not need to change any other information on this tab.

Setting your Video Codec

Please now follow these steps to set the audio quality of your encode:

Here's what you need to do:

Please click on the Container Tab

Set the Container drop-down option to be: MP4

You do not need to change any other information on this tab.

Setting your Video Size and Frame Rate

Please now follow these steps to set the audio quality of your encode:

Here's what you need to do:

Set the Resize option if you need to resize your video.

Set the Frame Rate option if you need to adjust your frame rate.

Ensure your Color Space option is on I420.

You do not need to change any other information on this tab.

How to rotate a video to display portrait content on the SSSP platform

If your display does not support the Native Portrait feature (see supported features and media types article herefor further information), you will need to rotate your content before using it in a Playlist or on your Player.

Here's what you need to do:

On the Picture tab set the Aspect Ration option to Keep Pixel AR.

On the Effects tab on the right, select either 90 degrees CW (ClockWise) or 90 degrees CCW (CounterClockWise). This would depend on the physical orientation of the screen.

Encoding for a Samsung SSP Player

If you are encoding for a Samsung SSP Player then we have found the following encoding settings to work best when deploying full screen landscape content, if you are encoding for a portrait or different resolution screen, you can amend the resolution accordingly:

Encoding for a Windows Media Player

If you are encoding for a Windows Media Player then we have found the following encoding settings to work best when deploying full screen landscape content, if you are encoding for a portrait or different resolution screen, you can amend the resolution accordingly:

Encoding for an IAdea 4K Player

If you are encoding for an IAdea 4K Player then we have found the following encoding settings to work best when deploying full screen landscape content, if you are encoding for a portrait or different resolution screen, you can amend the resolution accordingly:

Video format: H.265 / HEVC

Video Bitrate: 10M

Resolution: 3840x2160 (UHD-1) NOT 4096*2160 as this is for cinematic purposes

Audio format:AAC

Audio Bitrate:192k

Starting your Encode

Now that you have made the necessary settings for your intended videos, you can start the encoding process by following these steps:

To begin the encode, please now click on the Start button at the top of the MediaCoder software.

Once clicked the encoding process will begin and you'll notice a progress showing you how your encode is going.

Once finished you will be shown a window that states the original video size and the new size since encoding.

Congratulations you have just encoded your file successfully. You can now upload the encoded video file(s) to your Signagelive network.